The morning came far too quickly for Danielle's liking. She wanted to stay with her friend forever. But knew that for right now at least, she couldn't. They once again boarded the talking shuttle and went to have breakfast in the staff canteen, just as they'd had dinner there the night before.
"So?" Charlotte prompted as they sat with hot bacon and eggs. Are you going to tell Dr Stark today?"
She sighed but couldn't help smiling. "Yes," she said truthfully. "I didn't get to sleep until late last night thinking it all through. You're right, C. I want him to know, and he deserves to know. Not to mention it's how I feel. That's just a fact."
"Yay!" Charlotte said happily. "Don't you go chickening out on me now Missy!"
"I won't, but I also can't deny there's part of me which is a little afraid. How will he react? Will he believe me? Or will he think it's all lies?"
"You can't think for Michael," Charlotte said softly. "Those are decisions only he can make. But regardless of how he reacts, I'm sure he won't hate or hurt you for it. Anyway, you'll have guards nearby, right?"
She hesitated. "Well, that's another thing. Surely, I don't want too many guards too close do I? Otherwise, he really might wonder if it's a trick or something."
"I think that's a decision Dr Stark will have to make. You can't make that one either."
She knew her friend was right, but it still troubled her somewhat. After breakfast, they headed back into the block.
"Right, you," Charlotte said as they finally reached her cell, Rick and Joanne following them. "I'm going to be off now if that's ok. I have stuff I really need to get done at home before college tomorrow. But I'll phone you later alright? Let me know how everything goes."
She nodded, feeling the sting of tears. She loved being in Charlotte's company and there was a part of her that wished she could go with her friend right now. Charlotte of course seemed to detect it as she hugged her again tightly. "I'm sure it won't be long," she said into her ear. "Trust me. Plus, you have a reason to want to stay now, don't you?" She elbowed her friend in the ribs. "So, stop keeping quiet and just do it already!"
As Charlotte exited the block to get a shuttle back to her car, Danielle felt a wave of sadness crash over her. She tried to hide it, but it was too painful. Dr Stark must have noticed as she was at her side in less than a second. "Come on," the consultant said. "Let's go and have a talk."
She didn't protest as the doctor took her arm and guided her out of the cell block towards her office. She felt affection rise in her. This time, they weren't even going to a therapy room. Did that, could it possibly mean Charlotte was right and she was in fact close to her release? If that didn't show her Dr Stark trusted her, nothing would.
They entered the office and sat opposite each other with the desk between them. "Do you want a cup of tea?" Dr Stark asked. She was still blinking back tears. "Yes please," she said after a moment.
"Hey," Dr Stark sat next to her now and put an arm around her. "You'll see Charlotte again soon I promise you."
"Dr Stark, she said, wondering if she was making a mistake asking this question and if she was about to get her hopes shattered. But she and Charlotte had talked about it again the night before and she just had to know. "Am I…" she hesitated, then started again. "? Am I close to being released? I mean, I wouldn't have been able to go out with Charlotte yesterday if I wasn't and I very much doubt I'd be sitting in your private office now, but behind glass in a therapy room like I was when I first got here!"
There was a short silence, before Dr Stark spoke. "Yes. I won't lie to you, you are. The only thing stopping us now is making sure you have security measures in place to protect you from Adam, and we are very close to bringing those to fruition."
Her heart leapt. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Dr Stark said, and she could hear the smile in her voice. "I promise, you're nearly there. Your treatment is in effect, over. We've all seen how much stronger you've grown while you've been here, even you yourself, I'm sure."
She couldn't help but nod. She knew Dr Stark was right. "Yes," she admitted. "I do feel a lot stronger now than when I got here, thanks to the kindness of you and the guards, as well as Dr Loomis."
"As I told you once before long ago, that's what we're here for. It's our job to make sure our patients are treated to the best of our abilities."
"Even if one of them gets killed?" she asked, a slight smirk on her lips. She'd googled Cameron Jefferson, or rather the late Cameron Jefferson who'd lived in the cell on her right when she'd first arrived. The horrific sexual violence he'd committed against women was in some ways even worse than Chancers. It left them scarred for life and many with severe PTSD. She knew how they felt. But Adam's regular raping of her looked almost tame by comparison to some of Jefferson's acts. He'd deserved to die.
Dr Stark hesitated. "Well, yes. Although that wasn't our fault. He got too close to Michael Myers. We couldn't do anything."
She couldn't help but smile.
"So anyway," Dr Stark said as their hot drinks were bought in by one of the PA's. "Thanks Andrea," she added as the woman left. "I believe you have other things you want to speak to me about. You said last night before you left you wanted to talk to me today?"
But now the time was here, could she say what she needed to? Or find the right words? "Yes," she began slowly. Dr Stark, I don't know if Dr Loomis told you any or all of what I talked to him about while you were on leave?"
"Ah," Dr Stark was smiling now. "Yes, that conversation. Well as it happens, he did. But I'd still like to hear it from you."
She couldn't help but grin at her. "Damn Psychiatrists," she muttered, and her doctor laughed. "Fine. Well, um… I think…" she hesitated but knew at last the time had finally come and she couldn't keep silent to her doctor a moment longer. "I think I love Michael Myers and I want him to know."
"You think you love him?" Dr Stark queried and she blushed. "Ok got me! I… I love Michael Myers! I want him to know that. I also want to make it special, in whatever way I can. More for his benefit than mine, but I won't deny I'd like it to be special too."
"By the waterfall, perhaps?" Dr Stark asked, but she knew it wasn't really a question.
"Yes," she said, blushing bright red now. "Could we maybe have a meal in private together before hand?"
"Of course," Dr Stark said, and she felt her affection if that was possible, grow even stronger towards her consultant. "So, the only question I have now is, when?"
She took a deep breath and finally said what she'd wanted to say for days. "Well, I was hoping it could be tonight?"
Dr Stark was silent for a moment, but she knew this was because she was writing something. When she spoke again, she felt her heart skip. "Yep, tonight it is. Good luck, you've got yourself a date."
…
Adam whistled loudly as he left his local shop with his groceries. Not having a woman around had changed a lot of things in his life, and that royally pissed him off. Maybe his father was right, and he should find another bitch, even if she was only temporary until his two were permanently back in his clutches. Yes, maybe both.
He hated having to get his own shopping, wash his clothes and cook. It wasn't his fucking job! It was a woman! He knew it would be only too easy to find one. He was a good-looking guy if he said so himself and women were often throwing themselves at him. Stupid whores. He just fucked and chucked them. But maybe for now he should find another one to fuck and make her cook, wash, and shop for him. Even if he had to pretend to love her and be kind to her for a while first, he'd make that part as quick as he could then the good stuff could start.
What was it Edward had once said? Wife? Work, iron, Fuck, Everything? Or something to that effect? Adam smirked. If he ever did take a woman as his wife, it wouldn't be for love that was for sure, but for exactly those things his father had taught him. Edward Dawson was a wise man. He showed women their place and Adam would follow in his footsteps. Law be damned. They should just make it legal and stop being such pussies about it. Then his father could come out of prison and all would be well again. They'd have as many bitches as they wanted.
Now he headed back to his car, unloaded his cart into the trunk and climbed in, not even bothering to take the cart back. Let one of the bitches in there do it. He'd had to take the car as he had a big shopping list, and this too infuriated him. The bitch should be getting this and not by car as she couldn't drive. Blind idiot. So, she'd have to get a taxi and he sure as shit wouldn't pay the fair. But most unfortunately, he couldn't currently reach her, so he'd have to make do with another one. His father's words came back to him. "There are millions of women out there who Michael Myers will never meet. Take one of them as your property, toy, whatever. But her? Nope, too hot! Leave well alone."
Adam sighed as he pulled out of the supermarket parking lot, maybe his father was right on some angles. He'd find another woman to do his bidding and obey him, but she was still his prime target. Maybe he'd keep them both, or all three of them once he had Avery back where she belonged. He smirked at that thought.
Suddenly, his phone started to ring. He answered the call on his hands free. He didn't normally use it, hating it but was doing everything he could to keep the pigs away from him. If that meant sticking to the speed limit, using hands free and the rest, then so be it. He couldn't afford to be arrested now. Not when his plans were getting closer to completion. Ok so Michael Myers hadn't fallen for his letter trick, but he now had other plans up his sleeve. "Hello?"
"The iPod's working," said a man's voice, without any preamble, even as much as a preliminary hello. "So, it must be her cell. Our man checked it; the inside guy is telling the truth." Then he was gone.
Adam considered his caller's words. Ok, so at least he could rule out that option. The iPod wasn't broken, and Chancer wasn't bullshitting him. Just as well for him, Adam thought. So, they must've modified her cell indeed. So, it was now time for the next part of his plan, the one Leach was currently working on. The crime boss had said one of his goons would meet with Adam the next day, in a text last night. Now Adam thought about it that was later this evening. He'd almost forgotten.
He felt his excitement rising. When he got home, he picked up his phone. He still had her Apple ID, which she obviously didn't want to change. More fool her. Or perhaps it'd give her one tiny point when they met again. Although it wouldn't equate too much. He'd still punish her harshly for daring to change her number without his permission not once, but twice. So, on second thoughts, maybe it would mean nothing.
He knew what he was about to do was dangerous, bordering on stupid. But he couldn't help himself. He was angry, but also gleeful. She'd have no idea what was about to hit her next. So just a little reminder of who was boss wouldn't hurt. The bitch needed reminding, that much was clear. So, opening his phone, he sent her a 7-word message which said everything it needed to and could not have been clearer if he'd tried.
I won't give up, you're still mine.
…
Danielle sat in her cell a few hours later, feeling exactly like she'd said to Charlotte, a schoolgirl on her first date. Dr Stark had told her they would proceed when she was ready. She had smiled at her and said, "I don't know when I'll ever be ready." At which Dr Stark had chuckled.
"Alright then," she'd said. "When you ask us to."
She hadn't stopped there though, instead had told her doctor everything on her mind.
"What if he thinks it's just because he's the first man who's been kind to me since I arrived at Smith's Grove? That I haven't met anyone else because we were both stuck here?"
"Is it?" Dr Stark asked softly.
"No!" she said immediately. "I won't lie to you Dr Stark, I asked myself that very question last night and have done for weeks before now. No, it's not. What I feel for Michael is just as real as what I felt for Adam once, but hopefully with a very different outcome."
"Indeed," Dr Stark said. "So, are you hoping for a relationship?"
"Well, that's another thing I thought about. Yes, I would love to be, and it would be stupid of me to pretend otherwise, but would it work? The only future we'd have would be behind these walls. Michael Myers isn't leaving Smith's Grove and I know that. But… but damn it I don't care! I'll come back here every day if I must, stay in a hotel or something!"
"Or one of our suites," Dr Stark said. "Sometimes our patient's wives and girlfriends use them."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. So don't worry about where you'd sleep. Cross that problem off your list."
"Thanks Dr Stark, that means a hell of a lot to me. But how do I convince Michael it's not just a Smith's grove fling if you like? That I'll find someone else as soon as I leave?"
"Just tell him so. He has no reason not to believe and trust you, does he?"
"True," she conceded. "I just hope he does. But I'll do whatever it takes to make this work if he wants this too. Like I've just said, I'll stay here without a thought as often as necessary."
"I know," Dr Stark touched her arm. "But perhaps… things will change."
She recalled yet again Charlotte's words about them being reunited. Were the doctors in fact on her side? Would they do their best to make that happen? As if reading her mind yet again, Dr Stark spoke.
"I'll do whatever I can to help you. You have a promise from me on that."
"You're using your gift again," she said with a smirk. "You read my mind."
"That wasn't the gift this time that was just a guess." She laughed. "Are you worried? That you might meet someone else when you leave?"
"No!" she said fervently. "No, no, no! Not a chance in hell! I want to be with Michael! There's just… something about him. Yes, I know the irony in what I've just said, he's a masked, silent serial killer! Yet… yet…" she couldn't continue.
This time Dr Stark laid her hand on her shoulder. "I know," she said quietly.
"Do you remember the letter Michael sent me in my very early days here? When he thought I was giving him mixed signals?"
Dr Stark nodded. "Yes, I remember that. In fact, I've still got it here in your file."
"What do you think he meant by that? I mean back then. I don't think he considered me a friend; I think at that point he was just looking out for me because I'm vulnerable."
"I think he didn't like the fact you were close one minute and gone the next, distant," Dr Stark said. "He was saying you had to trust him or don't, it was your choice. That he wasn't going to be played with."
She winced. "God! That must've looked exactly like what I was doing back then! Makes me feel like a right bitch!"
"Don't be silly," Dr Stark said sternly. "You were scared, that's no crime. You were um, just perhaps… using the wrong man to experiment with re your feelings."
At this she laughed out loud. "That's one way to put it," she chuckled. "He's only a serial killer! I guess I was lucky I didn't push him too far."
"We wouldn't have let that happen; Dr Stark assured her."
"No?" she asked but was trying not to smile. "Like you didn't with Jefferson? Baker?"
"Oh, be quiet!" Dr Stark said, and she began to giggle. Dr Stark chuckled with her. "That was… different. They had deeply angered Michael by hurting you. Anyway, our guards tried to stop him! You know that!"
"Oh yes," she said, forcing herself not to smile. "Of course they did!"
After a brief silence, she spoke again. "Dr Stark, what exactly does the letter say? I'll be honest, I can't remember it was so long ago."
Dr Stark pulled the piece of paper out of the file and began to read.
"Danielle, While I totally understand why you are afraid, has it not occurred to you that I, too, have never felt anything like this before? Your want to be close to me one moment then not the next, is confusing me. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid I'll do what he did to you? Or is it yourself that you're afraid of? Afraid to trust me because of him? I understand both angles, on this you need to believe and trust me. I do. I know it scares you and I get it, but how can I help you if you don't let me? Just think over what I have written.
M."
"Wow," she whistled softly. "He wasn't kidding, was he?"
"Joanne showed it to me straight away," Dr Stark said. "We kept a very careful eye on both of you for any dangerous warning signs. But it didn't last long."
"That was when Jefferson tripped me up with his foot," she said bitterly, remembering it as if it was yesterday. "Michael carried me into his cell while Joanne treated the cut to my head. He thought it was fucking hilarious, Jefferson. Asshole. I googled him recently, Dr Stark. I know some of the horrific sexual acts he made women do and did on them. I think I'd rather he finished me off after something like that. He almost makes Derek Chancer look kind! At least he kills them when he's done! Some of those poor women…" she stopped herself. Dr Stark had doubtlessly treated some of them, she wouldn't be at all surprised to hear it.
"I know," the consultant said quietly, and she was sure she was correct in her previous assumption. "Anyway," Dr Stark continued before she could think about it further or answer. Had she done that on purpose? She wouldn't put it past her. "Let's get back to the positives, eh? You and Michael. I will help you in any way I can if things go further between you. Like I believe Dr Loomis has said to you. He may be a killer, but he's still a man. You have shown us all this fact."
"I didn't do anything," she muttered.
Dr Stark touched her arm again. "Well, whether you did or not, meant to or not, you've certainly done something for Michael. Exactly what he feels about that you'll find out tonight."
At the mention of what was to come, she felt nerves shoot up in her stomach, but also something that'd been a total stranger to her for over two years. Butterflies.
Something of this must've shown on her face because Dr Stark squeezed her arm this time. "You're blushing Miss Hayward," she teased. "Enjoy this feeling. You deserve it after all you've been through. Just remember, even if it doesn't go the way you hope, you will find love again. I promise you."
"I'm trying not to think about that," she admitted. "No one wants to be rejected, do they?"
"Indeed not," Dr Stark agreed. "But I'm just warning you. If you play with fire, you might get burnt. So, if for his own reasons Michael does reject you, don't lose heart. That's all I'm saying. Ok? But if things do go the way we both hope they do, I and Joanne, both will help you any way we can."
"Thanks Dr Stark, she smiled at her doctor. "That means more to me than I could ever tell you." She meant it.
Now, having just pressed her call button to tell the guards she was ready, her nerves increased tenfold. Michael would have no idea what she had planned. The doctors and guards hadn't told him anything.
She assumed they'd have their private meal she'd requested in her cell, but she was wrong. When Joanne arrived, Rick behind her to escort Michael, the two of them were taken out of the cell block and in to one of the private therapy rooms. The glass was completely down, and Joanne told her a table had been set in the middle of the huge room where the glass divide would normally be, set for two with apple juice for her, her favourite and sparkling water for Michael. She didn't think she would be able to eat if she was honest, her nerves and those damn butterflies were going crazy by this point. But she sat down, and Michael took his place opposite her.
Moments later, Joanne and Rick entered with the food. Her favourite meal of pasta, but she wasn't sure what Michael's was. She felt a great rush of affection for the guards when the door closed softly behind them. She guessed they were just outside but were still giving them privacy. A minute later her affection only grew when tears for fears started playing softly through the concealed speakers.
"Hi Michael," she said, and wasn't surprised to hear her voice shaking a little. "I had a great night with Charlotte last night, she said to give you, her best."
Michael reached across the table and touched her hand lightly. This told her he'd heard and understood. Her heart flipped in her chest. Could, should she really do this?
YES! Screamed her heart. DON'T YOU DARE TURN BACK NOW HAYWARD! YOU DO YOU'RE A COWARD!
She knew this was true, she just hoped she could say those magical three words to him tonight.
After they'd eaten, Joanne and Rick led them out into the exercise yard and to the waterfall. As they walked, she heard no clinking which told her Michael was not in chains as he usually would be, and Joanne whispered in her ear that there was a slight smile on the killer's lips. She felt her heart rate increase. Had he guessed?
The two of them sat down on the bench, as Joanne set the waterfall to Danielle's favourite setting. Then just like in the office, the two guards stepped back to give them privacy. She had rehearsed what she was going to say for what felt like weeks, but now it was here, could she say it? Would her mouth let the words out? The words she never thought she'd say again in her life. At least not this fast?
"Michael," she said quietly. "Can I talk to you?"
Immediately, she felt his arms come around her, pulling her close to him. Her head hit his shoulder and then, for only the second time since she'd known him, she felt the skin of his right ear touch her lips. She understood his silent message as well as she would've done had he said it. Of course, I'm listening. Or I'm all ears. She smiled a little at that thought. But now there was no more time to think, practice or procrastinate. This was it.
"Michael, I'm not sure exactly how to say this, so I'll just say it straight. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me since I arrived. From touching my arm that very first time, when we both know you could've just as easily killed me. I know I angered you a little when you wrote me that letter saying I was giving you "mixed signals," and you were right to do that." The killer's arms tightened. "No, you were. I was doing just that. I was so insecure, scared, but you're right. What I did was unfair. Even if you didn't see me as a friend at that point, just someone you'd help while I was here, that was a harsh thing to do. I should've either trusted you completely or completely pulled away. That gave me a reality check, so I also thank you for that. Then there was the time you looked after me when Jefferson tripped me up in the yard, the time you pressed your call button for me when I had my panic attack. Not only that, but you then took me into your own cell afterwards and showed me where the damn call button was! The very reason my panic had got worse in the first place! I couldn't find it!
Then as time went on, things changed. Jefferson threw his sperm in my face, having sneered at me previously and taunted me, you killed him. Adam got his inside man to bribe John Baker for my first protected number, you killed him. That was when I began to realise things were changing in a way I couldn't and didn't want to stop. You were killing anyone who hurt or endangered me. I knew how angry you were when you got that letter from Adam, believing, and totally understandably I might add, that I'd said it and Charlotte had written it. I completely get why you did! The many small things you've done, which are huge to me. Letting me touch your ears so often," she blushed at this. "Holding me, comforting me after I had that nightmare night before last. Not to mention hugging me in the corridor yesterday!
You may wonder where I'm going with this. Well, I've thought of many ways to explain, but in the end there's only one way I can say it. I obviously have no idea how you'll react to what I'm about to say, but…" Michael pushed her head back to his shoulder, his ear still against her mouth. "I know, I don't mean you'll hurt me, not at all. Sorry, I didn't explain that properly." Michael cuddled her close and she took a deep breath. This was it, there was no going back. "Michael Myers," she whispered into his waiting ear, hugging him as tightly as she could. "The simple truth is, like I said to you way back, I obviously wasn't careful enough. Because I've fallen in love with you."
…
"Ok, we're ready to post it if you have the thousand bucks."
Adam looked across the grubby pub table at the man sitting opposite him. He didn't know him, but that didn't matter. In fact, it was probably better that way. "Fine," he said, pulling out an envelope of cash from his pocket. "It's all there if you want to count it, but I want to see the package first."
The man shrugged and produced a small envelope, the type which would easily fit in a mailbox. It contained the smallest box of sweets Adam could find. As far as he was concerned, they were just the token to get the real thing through, the camera and bug. Adam examined it closely, then nodded, handing over the cash. "How do these bugs work? Mr. Leach told me one of his must activate it on his phone."
The stranger nodded. "We get a notification when the target's fingerprint comes in to contact with the bug. We can then activate it and hear everything said. It gets recorded on to the phone of the one who activates it."
"Ok," Adam said slowly. "How long do they record for?"
"Unlimited," the man said. "But the battery only lasts twenty-four hours, so we use it sparingly. You need to trust us on that Mr. Dawson. We will catch the important parts."
Adam wasn't happy about this sure they would miss something, but he knew he couldn't let this chance go by refusing. This was too good to be passed up. "What about the camera?"
"Battery in those lasts a week, same again, someone activates it, and their phone holds the footage. Usually, the camera and bug are controlled by two different people on their phones. We can watch it live and start it recording when we see something we need to capture."
Adam nodded. That made sense. He'd also manage to get the package brailed. Turned out one of Leach's low ranked members was a Braille reader. Leach had apparently wanted someone to know it, just in case. Adam had never been more thankful for that in his life. Now, the package said in Braille underneath the print Enjoy these sweets Danielle love Charlotte XX. Perfect. The stupid bitch would open it without even thinking, straight into his trap. Michael Myers or no Michael Myers, this time there was no escape.
…
Apart from the gentle tinkling of the water, there was total silence. But Michael didn't release her, and his ear was still close to her mouth. He seemed to know she had more to say. She took another deep breath.
"Yes, I mean in a relationship sense. I want to be with you, Michael. I've already thought of what you may be thinking. No, it's not a Smith's Grove fling and I have absolutely no intention of finding someone else as soon as I leave. I don't want to die just yet," she smiled at him. "Also, even if our future is only behind these walls, I'll stay here every day if you need and want me to. I didn't mean to fall in love with you, not at all. You were just a great friend who was helping me through all the stuff I'd gone through and to recover. To be totally honest with you, I was running from the very thought of love. It scared me, obviously after Adam. I had promised myself I'd never let anyone into my heart again. So much for that. But you could also argue so did you. You're a killer, you don't make a habit of getting close to people either. Hell, they don't live long enough to give you the chance! I don't think either of us planned this. But you cracked my shell as easily as that of an egg, without even meaning to I expect. Ok so you haven't spoken more than two words to me, but there's an old proverb, actions speak louder than words, and that's certainly true in your case!
If you reject me, I can take it. I'll understand if you're not willing for something like this, having never been there before. My ex may have been abusive, but at least I know how this works. I acknowledge completely this is uncharted territory for you. Only you can make that decision and whatever you decide, I'll respect it. I just want you to know that either way you have a friend for life, Michael Myers. I've been thinking how to say this to you for weeks, but I soon realised that all the pretty words in the world are meaningless if they're not the ones you're looking for. So, I just have to say it directly from my heart. Not to mention I don't have much experience with romance," she smiled sheepishly. "But I know how I feel and there it is, right in front of you. Like I said I never meant to love you, but like a friend said to me once, you can't control love, it comes along whenever it wants to. I've just learnt how true that is. If you need time to think, I get that too."
There was another short silence, then she was sure she was dreaming, this time the best dream of her life. Because that was when Michael lifted her into his lap for the first time ever as easily as if she were a doll and weighed nothing. She could kid herself it'd been the gentle breeze, but she was certain she heard Joanne sob. She was close to that herself. Michael slowly and deliberately raised her head up towards his, she could feel his breath on her face. This was the closest they'd ever been. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, her heart hammering fit to burst. Michael held her tighter, and that was when she realised, they were very gradually leaning closer and closer.
It felt like eternity before their lips eventually met. She could hardly believe where she was. The kiss was tentative at first, as if both were checking with the other. Michael raised her hands so they were on his ears and for the first time she pulled them, using them to bring him as close as she could. She pushed her lips against his then and she could feel the part of him wanting to take control, the part, which was usually violent, but not this time. "Do it Michael," she breathed. Her head once again hit his shoulder as now he was the one controlling their kiss. Their tongues didn't make contact, but it was the best thing she'd felt in a long time.
As they drew back, she heard something which made tears of happiness and affection fill her eyes. Applause. Dr Stark, Joanne, and Rick approached them.
"Bravo!" Dr Stark said. "Nicely done! You, see? Love is no crime, and that also proves how much stronger you've grown. You can't run from love, and you didn't try, instead you embraced it."
"Who are you and what have you done with Michael Myers?" Came the soft voice of Dr Loomis. "Pure evil with nothing left? Hmm. I may have to re-evaluate this position."
She couldn't help but smile and realised her tears were falling only when Michael raised a hand and stroked her cheek. Joanne too sounded close when she spoke. "Congratulations and the very best of luck to you both."
She could still hardly believe it. Had this really happened? For weeks she'd tried to figure out if she should tell him and if so how, and now here they were. "Can someone pinch me please?" She'd said before she could stop herself.
She heard them laugh before Joanne slapped her arm. "Nope, you're awake."
"Can I make a suggestion?" Dr Stark said, keeping her voice very low so only their little group could hear. There was no one else around, but she was clearly taking no risks. "Can I suggest that you kiss as you pass Mr. Chancer's cell? That way, if as we believe he is watching and listening to you, that'll be a nice little… um, surprise for our friend Mr. Dawson if he is indeed reporting on you to him."
"Awesome," Joanne and Rick said in unison. Michael stood up, lifted her easily up into his arms and carried her towards the block doors. She remembered the last time he'd done this when Jefferson had tripped her up. But this time… this time was so different. He was her lover now, her partner. She could still hardly believe it.
"I'll never let you down," she breathed to Michael as he carried her onwards, the guards and doctors behind them. "Never. I want this for the rest of my life. Not to mention my life would end if I did hurt you," she smiled to indicate she was in part joking. She was sure Michael softly chuckled.
"Talking of couples," she said as Michael carried her into the block. "Would I be correct in thinking that you Joanne, are with a certain man named Rick who's currently standing right behind you?"
"How did you know?" Joanne asked. She grinned. "I heard rick shout "babe" at you when Mr. Baker was… you know, getting his just desserts."
"Too damn sharp for your own good," Rick muttered and she and Joanne both laughed. "But yes," Rick added. "You're correct and I'm just as happy as you are."
"I might disagree with you on that one," she said, causing the group to laugh again.
…
Derek looked out through the bars of his cell, wondering where everyone was. Jack was some distance away behind the desk, but everyone else seemed to have disappeared, including Myers and the blind woman. He'd spent an hour trying to decide what he was going to do about the iPod incident. But he knew deep down he had no choice. He'd have to at least be civil to Dawson until the guy had given him his money. But then…
That was when Derek's thoughts were interrupted by the block doors opening. He looked out and blinked once, twice. Michael Myers was carrying Hayward into the block. Fucking carrying her! As they drew nearer to Derek's cell, he saw her head was on his shoulder. Oh dear, Adam Dawson wasn't going to like this. He grinned to himself. But then, Myers lowered his head as they stood just outside Derek's door and kissed her. He kissed her to the lips! Derek covered his mouth to stop a gasp of pure shock. But it also meant something else as far as he was concerned. Ok, so Myers and the bitch were a couple now. That was it for him, he was out. He didn't care what Dawson did. He was not reporting on Hayward any further, or her now man would kill him! He was done, his mission was over. Though still angry about the thing with the iPod, he picked it up and sent a message.
They're a couple now, they just kissed outside my door. I'm done. I'm not listening to her any further. I don't want her man to kill me. Sorry.
Just as he put the iPod down, Dr Loomis approached him. "Mr. Chancer, I wish to take another look at this iPod of yours."
Derek cursed. Fuck! His panic had made him stupid. He'd texted on it just as Myers had kissed her! Talk about blatantly obvious! But Derek was past caring. What he'd just seen had seen to that. So, without a word he picked up the iPod and handed it to the doctor. Adam would be furious, but right then Derek couldn't give a shit! Let him! Derek valued his life too much and wasn't prepared to lose it for a prick like Dawson. Unless it was already too late…
That was when the text came through. There was a moment's silence, before Dr Loomis softly spoke. "So, if this is just an iPod Mr. Chancer, why do you now have a text which reads and I quote, "you'll do it or you'll pay the price. Our client has paid money for this. Do it, or you'll die at our hands instead of his?" That doesn't sound like an iPod to me?"
Her mouth fell open in horror. "You!" She gasped at Chancer. "It's you! You've been watching, listening to, and reporting on me to Adam for months, haven't you?"
"You never saw it coming, did you?" Chancer sneered at her. "That's a problem when you're blind isn't it?"
Dr Loomis sighed. "You know Mr. Chancer, we do everything we can to treat and help our patients here. But your Lawyers are still appealing to keep you out of the chair. Based on the evidence in front of us now, I can do no more for you. You won't change. I was trying to stop your execution by treating you, but you leave me no other option. I will be arranging for you to be collected and taken to Death-Row tomorrow."
She tried not to laugh. Michael carried her into her, their cell and laid her lovingly on the bed before he stepped out again.
Despite what Dr Loomis had just said, Derek was glaring at the Psychiatrist. "Bullshit!" He sneered at him. "You were going to have me executed from the fucking word go! iPod or no iPod! You hate me, along with the rest of the world! Just because I fuck and kill bitches! You won't stop me Dr Loomis, I'm not done with women yet. I'll start with your little colleague there." He gestured at Dr Stark.
Dr Loomis was sure he saw a very brief flash of fear cross his junior consultant's face. He made to speak but suddenly, Michael was there. No one had heard or seen him approach as usual. There was a clang and Derek found himself slammed against the inside of his cell door, Michael's hands around his throat in a death vice. At the same time, Derek could've sworn he saw Myers look over at Dr Stark and was that comfort, reassurance in his gaze. One hand left his throat and gripped the base of his skull. Chancer understood. Myers was going to crush his skull against the bars. He was already running out of oxygen, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Joanne running towards Danielle's cell and talking to her. What? Was she giving the bitch a running commentary?
"Talk!" Dr Stark snarled, "tell us the truth. Do that and we'll stop Michael from killing you? Don't and we'll happily look the other way, you woman killing bastard! Before you start hoping, the cameras are off as the microphones. So, no one can see or hear this except us! This is your one and only warning."
"Bitch," Chancer snarled at her, as loudly as his depleting oxygen supply allowed. "I'd fuck and kill you in a second!"
Myers squeezed harder. Dr Stark smiled at Michael. "Perhaps you would," she said casually, as if they were talking about what Derek would have for lunch.
"Michael," Dr Loomis said quietly to the killer. "Loosen your grip a little, or he won't be able to talk to us and tell us what we want to know."
Joanne guided her a little way towards the group but kept her far enough back out of possible danger. She deserved to hear this. Chancer was gasping for air, but Michael had loosened his grip as asked by Dr Loomis.
Derek couldn't lie, he was fucking terrified. Close to shitting himself if truth be told. He'd feared Myers right from the start of this, hell for years like everyone else. Feared exactly what was happening now. If he wasn't very, very careful, his skull would be mush against the metal of his cell or he'd be strangled to death. If he had to choose, he'd take the chair over either of those in a second. He was so scared he didn't even dare struggle. He had to tell them. He didn't want to die today. He had more women to kill for one thing.
"Ok!" He said and was horrified to hear the squeak of terror in his voice. Fuck he sounded like one of the many bitches he'd killed now! "Ok, ok! I was asked by Adam Dawson to listen to her. Someone came in and gave me the iPod! It's a listening device, but it doesn't work on her cell anymore and I don't know why!"
"So, your visitor today," Dr Loomis said with utter distain in his tone. "Was he there to "fix" your so-called iPod? Modify it to make it work through our modifications? You are right, we've done just that, precisely to stop you hearing anything! Talk about a breach of privacy!"
"No," Derek gasped. Myers may have let him go a little, but his grip on Derek's skull was still crushing. Derek was sure Myers would probably kill him anyway whatever he said, but he couldn't take that risk. "We still didn't know what the problem was, how you'd modified it! He was legitimately updating my play list!"
"Oh of course," Dr Loomis said sarcastically. What, wanted to hear the newest songs did you?"
"You can look if you don't believe me," Chancer said. "But I had no idea exactly how dangerous Adam was! I didn't know about his plans! I swear I didn't!"
"You're lying," said a quiet voice. It was her. Derek considered telling her to shut the fuck up, but then reconsidered his position. That would be a probably fatal mistake, given that her now man was holding him by the skull and more than ready to smash it to pieces. "Adam must've had someone on the inside to run his plans past. The letter, he must've had some help with it. Adam would've made too many mistakes if left alone to do it. You knew about it didn't you Mr. Chancer?"
"I'm Sir to you," Chancer snarled at her, hatred taking over and momentarily blocking out caution. However as soon as those four words left his mouth, he knew he was about to pay a heavy price for them. He knew Adam had made her call him that from what he'd heard. Sure enough, Michael tightened his grip and…
BANG!
The pain was enormous. Derek saw red and white flashes in his vision and swayed groggily. Fuck! That was just the warmup. He knew that. He felt blood trickling down his forehead. He doubled over in pain but was prevented from hitting the ground by Michael's death grip which was still tight as ever.
"Don't you dare," Joanne was the one who snarled now. "What, heard that on your little "iPod" did you? Don't you fucking dare try and use that against her, you son of a bitch!"
"Here, here!" Dr Loomis said. His voice was still as soft as usual, but she could hear his anger. She'd shivered a little when Chancer had said "I'm Sir to you," some fears were hard to break. Joanne put her arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sure your man will do just this when he can," she breathed and the other woman smiled at her, blinking back tears of both happiness and anger. She was done fearing men. It wasn't because of what'd happened tonight either. It was her. She had finally managed to tell a man how she felt, and Jesus she felt good for it! She was no longer the small, bitter woman who'd first walked through these doors months ago. Now, she was a strong, independent woman, determined to stand up for herself. She would not let Adam, or any man control her again! Even if she and Michael didn't work out in the end, his help to her had been invaluable. Still in Joanne's arms, Danielle took a step forward and spoke two words very quietly, but everyone heard. "Fuck you." Then, she spat in Derek Chancer's face.
There was a brief silence, which was broken for the second time that night by applause. Rick, Joanne, Dr Stark and Dr Loomis were all applauding her. "Bravo!" Joanne said. "Good shot!"
"Told you that you were a good shot, didn't I?" It was Jack's voice. He'd come over to them from behind the desk. He'd strolled over casually, in no rush.
"He was the mole, Jack," her voice shook with furious and bitter tears which she couldn't hold back. Joanne squeezed her tighter. "Mr. Chancer. He had some kind of iPod," as she spoke, Dr Loomis held the device up. "Which he was using to listen to me and text whoever Adam's hired to give him the equipment. He's been watching, listening to, and reporting on me for fucking months!" The tears were coming in earnest now. She was furious and for the first time in her life, understood the need to kill someone, that desperate desire for revenge.
"You motherfucker," Jack snarled at Chancer, the anger in his voice so menacing she almost took a step backwards even though it was on her behalf. "You God Dam motherfucker!"
Slowly she pulled away from Joanne and crossed to Jack's side. He took her hand and squeezed it, and Joanne was sure understanding shot between them. Carefully and respectfully, she reached for the pocket of his vest she'd seen long ago when wearing it herself. She remembers Jack's words that day. "Ok you can have my car, money, my house, whatever you want!" But this time, it was for real. She pulled out Jack's gun, then a bullet from the box and loaded it just as he'd shown her. None of the guards made any move to stop her. Still holding Jack's arm, he guided her back towards the trapped Derek Chancer.
"Fuck you blind bitch," Chancer snarled, still amazingly managing to spit insults. But she reminded herself insults were all he had now. If he didn't die tonight, he was going to the chair. He was finished. "You won't shoot that thing; you can't see your target. You'll miss!" she felt a huge rush of affection once more for Jack, as the guard put an arm around her shoulders and used it to support her arm, so the gun was steady and pointing straight at Derek's head. She again flashed back to his words. "We tend not to aim for the head." Well, it seemed that had changed. They may be rubber bullets, but they could still be lethal if the head was their target. Chancer grew deathly still, his face turning marble white. Fuck. If she had a guard helping her then…
"Don't underestimate me, Mr. Chancer. I'm warning you, keep talking or I'll shoot." She thought of the acoustic shooting she'd done and was very experienced in and how she'd told Jack about it way back and smiled in satisfaction. Yep, she could nail this bastard easily if she had to, tone or no tone in her headphones.
"Bullshit!" Chancer sneered.
"If I were you Mr. Chancer, Dr Loomis said mildly. "I'd do as the lady says. I certainly would if I had a gun pointing at my head, which is the situation you currently find yourself in."
Derek's belief that Hayward wouldn't shoot remained strong, but the fact Michael Myers still had him by the skull didn't mean his situation was any better. When Myers tightened his grip yet further, Derek's fear returned in full measure. Hayward may not actually shoot if it came to it, but Michael Myers wouldn't hesitate to kill him. "What do you want to know?" He asked.
"You have the floor," Dr Loomis said. Ask away. You deserve this chance."
"When did Adam hire you?"
Chancer thought back fast. "About a month ago give or take," he said. "Six weeks?"
"What was your brief?"
"T… To listen to you and tell him what you said, to watch you and tell him what you were doing, who you were talking to and so on. When you'd be released so he could get you back under his c… control."
"Ha!" she snorted derisively, disgust in her voice now. "So, what have you told him?"
Chancer hesitated and her gun hand tightened, Jack's equally as steady supporting it. Myers moved Derek's head a second time as if to hit it against the metal again.
"Ok!" Derek was horrified to hear himself begging. Which he was, for his very life. For a few more weeks at least before old sparky had him. "Ok! Please! Not much, there wasn't much I could tell him! Just you and Michael Myers were getting close, and he should be careful. That you feared him and were taking measures to escape."
"My telephone numbers. That was you, wasn't it?"
"Adam asked me to get it at any cost. So yes, I bribed John Baker to get it from Dr Stark's secure cabinet. I passed it back to Adam."
She laughed. "I'd have thought you'd have learnt from what happened to Mr. Baker, Mr. Chancer. He didn't live to talk about that mistake, did he? What else?"
"I… I told him you'd had panic attacks and he told me about the letter! He wanted me to see it, but I said it wouldn't be safe," Dr Stark looked disgusted. "But he read it to me via the iPod, it can call between me, and the people Adam hired."
"Who are they?"
"C… Chris Leach's organisation."
Joanne gasped. Adam Dawson had clearly spared no expense. Chris Leach was a well-known and feared crime Lord and hiring his men would not be cheap. Joanne was no criminal, but she'd guarded enough of them to know that much. "Mr. Leach himself is involved.
"Give us the password," Rick commanded, having taken the iPod from Dr Loomis. "Now!"
"I… I don't remember it," Chancer began, but when her finger kissed the trigger, he backtracked as fast as he could. "Ok! It's Rich Chales. It's an anagram of Chris Leach's name!"
Rick entered the password and opened the fake work out app. "But don't enter it wrong three times or it'll kill you!"
"Ingenious I do have to say so," Dr Loomis said quietly. Dr Stark nodded, both doctors looked furious. How much had this cost Dawson to use? Shit. He was seriously after her.
"How will it kill us?" Dr Loomis demanded.
"I… I don't know, I wasn't told."
"I'd take that part seriously if I were you," Rick warned. "I've heard of Chris Leach. The motherfucker's a damn good programmer, he can do almost anything."
"Everyone's heard of Chris Leach," Joanne said with a grimace. He's only the most feared crime Lord in the states."
Dr Loomis nodded to his guards. "Yes, and yes, those facts are what worries me."
"That review button allows me to text them and the rate button will call them." Derek was speaking fast now, desperate to save his own life even if it was only temporary. Michael Myers killing him or the electric chair? There was no choice as far as he was concerned. Not to mention there was still hope his Lawyers would save his ass.
"How much were you offered to do this?"
"I wasn't given an exact amount, but I was paid by the hour while I was listening to you. But I never knew what my final amount could be. Mr. Dawson wanted to give me some of his money purely because I kill women."
"Of course, he fucking did," she snarled bitterly. "He'd love more women to die. Misogynistic fucker! I can't believe I let him do everything he has to me! But God help me he won't harm another woman in his life! I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that! Just as you won't kill anymore, Mr. Chancer."
Rick raised the iPod so the others could see it and started writing a text in the fake app. He read it out as he did so.
"It's over, Adam Dawson. Your inside man has been caught and is on his way to Death-Row tomorrow. We know what you've done, all of it. All your plans, tricks, and evil intentions. Mr. Chancer squealed to save his own life from being terminated by her man Mr. Michael Myers. Wise decision by him I must say. You will never get to her; he and we will make sure of this. Leave her alone Dawson while you're still alive. You will not get another warning. Dr Samuel Loomis."
"Perfect," Dr Loomis said, and Rick hit send.
"You're together now?" Jack whispered to her, and she nodded, smiling at him. "Yay! I'm really pleased for you. Now are we shooting him or not?"
She grinned at him. Damn she loved him. Him, Joanne, Rick. She adored those three and would tell them as soon as she could. She'd do anything for every one of them. "Hmm," she pretended to consider. "Nah, let's let old sparky do his damage. But first…" She stepped towards Chancer still supported by Jack. Reaching out, she grabbed both of his ears. Jack lowered the gun so she had both hands free, and she pulled his ears as hard as she could. Derek couldn't move his head because Michael was still holding it in place.
"FUCK! GET OFF MY EARS, BITCH!" Chancer screamed in pain. She only pulled his ears harder. "Shame," she commented over his vile shouts, as if she couldn't hear them. "You've got nice ears Mr. Chancer. Shame you're such an evil prick!"
Chancer remembered his words to Adam. "Stupid bitch, she loves ears. What the fuck? She'd be dead before she got anywhere near my fucking ears!" Turned out, he was wrong. She twisted his ears like a dial on a miss behaving oven. Chancer knew they would seriously bruise tomorrow. He could take his bruised ears with him to the chair. Eventually, she released him. Chancer was gasping for breath, his ears red hot agony and the pain also shooting through his head. He wanted to insult her, call her a bitch even, but he couldn't. All his energy and fight were gone. Derek Chancer knew he was a beaten man.
"Michael, don't kill him, please? Let old sparky have him. He deserves to wait, suffer then fry. All the women he's raped and killed deserve justice!"
"Well said!" Dr Stark and Joanne said together. Slowly, Myers released Chancer, who slumped to the ground. Rick and Jack joined up outside his cell door, which they opened and handcuffed him.
"Take him down to solitary," Dr Loomis instructed them. "The secure Death-Row van will be here in the morning."
"You have to give them a reason quack," Chancer snarled, his last defence and hope. "They can't just take me!"
"On the contrary," Dr Loomis said amiably, as if they were chatting in a pub. "I don't, Mr. Chancer. I am the doctor here. I just tell them that your treatment is now over and has failed. It'll be no surprise to most I think you'll find. The world has been waiting for you to go to the chair since you were caught."
They were just about to lead Chancer out, when the iPod vibrated with a message. Rick read it out.
"I don't believe you. This is retaliation for the iPod thing. Don't lie to me, Mr. Chancer."
"What is he talking about?" Dr Loomis asked.
"They programmed the iPod to buzz and the picture to go faint," Derek Chancer said, his voice quiet now, his ears on fire and knowing he was a beaten man just as Dawson was, whether the misogynist chose to believe and except it or not. "Then someone came in to "fix" it, but it turned out Dawson was tricking me. This person listened with the iPod and then confirmed to Dawson via one of Leach's men it was working. Next moment the buzzing and so on was gone. Adam thinks I'm angry because of that so am retaliating."
"Don't do anything Rick," Dr Loomis said to his guard. "The longer Adam believes this, the better for us. Mr. Chancer's death sentence will be all over the news tomorrow anyway."
"Agreed, he'll make mistakes because he's desperate like I said before."